Soundsphere Magazine are pleased to present KEEP TALKING—a brand new podcast centered around the music industry in lockdown presented by Stewart Baxter, drummer in Hull based band LIFE.
Supported by funding from the Disabled Entrepreneurs Network, Soundsphere commissioned a locked-down Baxter to record a series of podcasts with the simple goal to re-connect, catch up, and check in with musicians and friends he has met along the way.
Launching on Friday 18th September 2020, for the first episode Baxter speaks to Primal Scream bassist Simone Marie Butler, who has also performed and recorded with artists including James Williamson (The Stooges), Faris Badwan (The Horrors), Ed Harcourt, Zak Starkey, and more.
The pair first met when Baxter performed live on her Soho Radio show a couple of years ago. Over the course of their candid chat we hear about Simone’s early musical memories, her journey as a bass player, and she talks openly about mental health and the experiences of being a touring artist. The pair also discuss Simone’s recent work as a spokesperson for the #letthemusicplay campaign, lobbying for government support to keep the live music industry afloat during this unprecedented year.
Commenting on the project, Baxter says: “When I’m touring with LIFE I meet so many wonderful and interesting people, but we rarely get a chance to have a proper chat between the constant movement. Allowing time to talk and listen is an important thing, right now more than ever. These podcasts are an open and honest discussion about life, art, and everything in-between, and a chance for myself and my guests to take time out to just hang out and catch up.”
The remainder of the first series will also include interviews with Lee Kiernan (IDLES), Jehnny Beth, Chris Slorach (METZ) and more TBA.
An alternative music and culture media brand for the North of England and Worldwide, Soundsphere was created by editor Dom Smith, who was winner of the National Diversity Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence (Disability) in 2012. He has been voted “one of the happiest people in the country” according to The Independent on Sunday, and has also carried the Paralympic Flame for the city of York.
He also works as part of Wobbling About and Rocking Out promoting disability and mental health awareness, and has written for The Metro, Rock Sound magazine, WhatCulture, The Quietus, T3 magazine, NME, Stuff magazine, Metal Hammer magazine and more.
Commenting on the new project, Smith says: “Stew is the beating heart of Hull’s music scene. His love and dedication to maintaining the area’s creative soul for young people, and the wider arts community, is something I’ve admired for more than a decade. I have wanted to work with him for a long time, and I’m proud that we could launch this podcast through Soundsphere, and pick the brains of some of the best and most dedicated musicians and artists in the world.”
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Mary and The Ram’s Dom Smith (who has Cerebral Palsy) returns under his producer guise, DOM SITH in July. “‘Playthrough of The End Times’ is a reflection of the here and now,” says Sith.
“It’s the video game soundtrack, or playthrough to our descent into darkness. I find comfort in making music at this time, and whatever you find comfort in, I hope you can dig this.”
The video was produced and edited by Leeds, UK-based alternative artist Witch of The East: https://www.facebook.com/WitchotEast/
For more information on Dom Sith, visit: https://www.instagram.com/dom_sith/
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Venus Furs, the moniker of Montreal’s Paul Kasner, has shared the latest video, Paranoia directed by Hart. The single is taken from his upcoming self-titled LP released on Silk Screaming Records on July 10th.
Doused in swirling guitar, Paranoia carries a tenacity that matches the song’s theme – a powerful exploration of mental illness examining the isolation and pain brought on from depression and anxiety. Paranoia offers solace to those struggling with mental illness.
On the track Kasner explains, “I wrote Paranoia as an examination of mental health, attempting to explore the feelings of depression and anxiety. The video attempts to capture the associated feelings of isolation and alienation, running after and away from yourself, and the discomfort of being alone whether in a crowd or by yourself. Coincidentally, it was filmed just before social distancing was put into effect – a foreshadowing to the isolation we are all currently experiencing.”
Director of the video Hart explained, “The making of this video was a unique experience. For me, anxiety is a combustible nervous energy of caring too much about small details. At the time of shooting, I felt out of place in my home and in the world, roaming the city at night while feeling more and more isolated. We did our last night of shooting just a week before the quarantine began, with all the editing being done while the pandemic unfolded. This brought an entirely new meaning to the word isolation and the experience of anxiety and stress. This video attempts to capture all those feelings.”
Paranoia follows previous singles, Page Before, Living in Constant,and Friendly Fire. All tracks will feature on the S/T album released on July 10th that you can pre-order now from Bandcamp.
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